Sanitary comb



Patented Dec. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The primary object ofthis invention is to provide a cleaning device associated with a comb,which is operable to remove the dirt and foreign Y matter from the teethof the comb, whereby the comb may be easily maintained in a sanitarycondition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character, which is simple and durable in construction,reliable and eiiicient in use, inexpensive in cost of manufacture, andneat and compact so that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket ora ladys handbag.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specication and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a comb, showing the cleaning devicein inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the cleaning device in operation.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, wherein for the purpose `ofillustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, thenumeral I0 denotes a comb having the usual teeth II and back I2. Acleaning bar I3 extends longitudinally of the comb and is provided witha plurality of apertures I4 to receive the teeth II, which passtherethrough. The cleaning bar is movable vertically the full length ofthe teeth, and the edges of the apertures I4 scrape against the side oithe teeth so as to remove the dirt therefrom upon movement of the bar.On either end of the back I2 of the comb, an arched link I5 is pivotallymounted in a cut-out socket having side ears I6. An intermediate llinkI'I pivotedV to the link I5, is joined to a similar link I8 which inturn is connected to the end of the bar I3.

When carried in the pocket or otherwise not in use, the bar and itsassociate links assume the positions shown in Figure 1 with the bar I3lying against the back of the comb and the collapsed links I 'I and I8lying against the side of the comb. To utilize the bar I 3 to clean theteeth I I, the lower ends of the links I8 are first swung outward andupward (Figure 1), and then the bar I3 is pushed downward until itassumes the position shown in Figure 2. Any dirt or grit which may havebeen caught between the teeth II will, during this movement of the barI3, have been carried toward the ends of the teeth II, and from thelatter position they may be readily removed by means of a brush or thelike.

Obviously, modications in form and structure may be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a comb, of a cleaning bar having a plurality ofapertures to receive the teeth of the comb, and a pair of hinged linksconnecting the ends of said cleanin-g bar to the back of the comb,whereby said cleaning bar is permitted to move vertically of the combteeth.

2. The combination with a comb, of a cleaning bar having a plurality ofapertures to receive the teeth of the comb, and a pair of hingedlyconnected links, one of said links having its free end hingedlyconnected to the end of said cleaning bar, the other of said linkshaving its free end hingedly connected to the end of the comb back.

CHARLES J. WARD. A4|);

